Summer Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that summer temperatures averaged 76.2°F during the summer season, 1.7°F above the 30-year “normal” of 74.5°F (Figure 1). Summer 2018 is tied with the summer of 2005 as
the 6th warmest since records began in 1895.

Summer Precipitation

The statewide mean precipitation of 13.73 inches was 1.73 inches
above the 1981-2010 normal of 12.0 inches. (Figure 2). This value
placed the summer of 2018 in the “normal” range for precipitation
since 1895.

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS)
show that summer temperature anomalies across the State were
generally above normal, except for extreme western portions of Kent
County (Figure 3). Summer precipitation totals varied greatly with
location across the State (Figure 4). In general, stations in New
Castle and Kent counties saw above normal precipitation during the
summer season, while coastal areas of Sussex County saw significant
precipitation deficits.

Figure 3. summer 2018 average temperature departures (°F) from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.

Figure 4. summer 2018 precipitation departures (inches) from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.